Patriots Notebook: Defense still not wired for sound

The New England Patriots' defense isn't ready to become radio active. "I'm not even sure who the best player would be to wear that," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick answered when asked about the NFL's new rule that allows defensive signals to be called via a communication device in a defender's helmet.

"I'm not even sure who the best player would be to wear that," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick answered when asked about the NFL's new rule that allows defensive signals to be called via a communication device in a defender's helmet. "We might need to experiment with that a little bit.

"Quarterbacks have kind of gotten accustomed to getting the play call and getting stuff in their helmet and all that, to start doing that with other guys who are trying to figure out what they're doing and they're hearing people talk to them in the headset and all that. ... We'll just have to see how it goes."

Since 1994, NFL quarterbacks have operated with voices in their heads.

This year, following the approval of headsets for defensive players at the league's annual offseason meeting, teams can designate two players per game to wear the high-tech helmets, although only one of the green-dotted devices will be allowed on the field at a time.

While Belichick said he felt the new rule will benefit teams like Baltimore and the Chicago, he sounded less enthused about what it will bring to his team's scheme, which employs a number of sub-packages and personnel.

"I think for teams like the Ravens with Ray Lewis and the Bears with (Brian) Urlacher or somebody like that, where you know where that guy's going to be on the field for 95-to-100 percent of the plays in every situation and he's the signal caller, anyway, that's kind of easy," Belichick said prior to yesterday afternoon's practice on the fields located behind Gillette Stadium. "But for other teams that don't maybe have that type of situation, it's a little less clear what the best way to handle it would be, and from some of the teams I've talked to they're kind of thinking about the same kind of issues.

"There's multiple considerations. Probably on our end, it will be a little bit trial and error. And at the moment, the issue isn't front and center. We'll see how it goes. That right now is a low priority," continued Belichick. "If we get to it next week (prior to the Aug. 7 preseason opener with the Ravens), we get to it. We're just trying to get our stuff installed and learn how to run it and make sure that we've got it down."

Ultimately, Belichick is inclined to think teams will often be forced to resort to the good, old-fashioned way of communicating, anyway.

"From the coaches that I've talked to in the league, the defensive coaches and the head coaches," said Belichick, "I think everybody feels like you better be prepared to signal (with gestures from the sidelines)."

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Page 2 of 2 - day after Philadelphia defeated San Jose, 59-56, in ArenaBowl XXII, Belichick took time to extend his congratulations to his good friend, rock star and Soul team owner Jon Bon Jovi.

For those who didn't notice, Bon Jovi's team won its Arena Football League title in New Orleans, where Belichick won his first of three Super Bowl championships with the Pats.

"I'm happy for Jon," said the coach. "He's done a great job with that franchise down there. He took an expansion team to an AFL championship.

"So congratulations to him and the Soul and the band and everybody. I feel good for him. He just got done with an album tour and an Arena Football League championship so (we'll have to) go down there and see if we can rub some of that magic off here."